Table 1.

Definitions of advance care planning from several organizations

Organization (country)	Definition
Institute of Medicine (U.S.) [39]	A process of discussion of end‐of‐life care, clarification of related values and goals, and embodiment of preferences through written documents (e.g., advance directive, physicians’ orders for life‐sustaining treatment) and medical orders
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (Japan)	A process in which the individual repeatedly discusses end‐of‐life treatment and care with the family and care teams, in advance
Sudore and colleagues (U.S. and other countries) [19]	Advance care planning is a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care
European Association for Palliative Care (Europe) [21]	Advance care planning enables individuals to define goals and preferences for future medical treatment and care, to discuss these goals and preferences with family and health care providers, and to record and review these preferences if appropriate